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All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has comfirmed starting prop Ethan de Groot will miss the Test against England on Sunday AEDT after a breach of team protocols.
The loosehead prop was dumped from the team and Robertson confirmed it was a disciplinary move.
“Ethan didn’t meet internal standards,” Robertson said.
Ethan de Groot. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
When pressed for details, Robertson replied: “Just the internal standards. In general he didn’t meet them, so he’s not available for selection this week.’’
De Groot will be available to play against Ireland in the All Blacks’ second tour match.
During last year’s World Cup, Mark Tele’a was left out of the quarterfinal win over Ireland for breaking curfew.
Robertson retained just three players from the side that outclassed Japan last week as the northern tour heats up.
Tamaiti Williams will start again at loosehead prop and will be joined by Tyrel Lomax and Codie Taylor to form the front row. Hooker Asafo Aumua and props Ofa Tu’ungafasi and Pasilio Tosi will provide cover off the bench.
Captain Scott Barrett will partner Tupou Vaa’i in the second row with Patrick Tuipulotu in reserve. In the loose forwards, Wallace Sititi moves to blindside, Sam Cane remains at openside flanker and Ardie Savea enters the team at No. 8, while Samipeni Finau comes from the reserves.
Cortez Ratima and Cam Roigard will share the No.9 duties with Ratima starting.
Beauden Barrett has again been preferred to Damian McKenzie at No.10 with DMac on the bench.
Jordie Barrett is back after injury to play at No.12 and Rieko Ioane is at No.13. Mark Telea and Caleb Clarke will take the wings, with Sevu Reece missing out, while Will Jordan is at fullback.
“While we have met England twice this year already, four months is a long time in rugby and we know that both teams are different to the ones that met in New Zealand in July,” said Robertson.
“Twickenham is such an iconic place to play and the roar of the crowd there is like few others. The All Blacks have had some fierce battles there in recent years and that’s a challenge that we will step forward to, especially with the Hillary Shield at stake.”
All Blacks match-day 23 (Test caps in brackets)
1. Tamaiti Williams (15)
2. Codie Taylor (93)
3. Tyrel Lomax (40)
4. Scott Barrett (76) (Captain)
5. Tupou Vaa’i (34)
6. Wallace Sititi (6)
7. Sam Cane (101)
8. Ardie Savea (90) (Vice-Captain)
9. Cortez Ratima (8)
10. Beauden Barrett (131)
11. Caleb Clarke (25)
12. Jordie Barrett (65) (Vice-Captain)
13. Rieko Ioane (77)
14. Mark Tele’a (16)
15. Will Jordan (37)
16. Asafo Aumua (16)
17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi (64)
18. Pasilio Tosi (4)
19. Patrick Tuipulotu (47)
20. Samipeni Finau (5)
21. Cam Roigard (6)
22. Anton Lienert-Brown (80)
23. Damian McKenzie (57)
Unavailable due to injury: Ethan Blackadder (calf), Luke Jacobson (fractured thumb) and Dalton Papali’i (upper hamstring)
Meanwhile Du’Plessis Kirifi will captain the All Blacks XV for the Northern Tour, with the support of experienced Harry Plummer as vice-captain for the match against Munster on November 3 AEDT.
There are six capped All Blacks in the selection.
“Du’Plessis has experience in the All Blacks XV environment and is a natural leader who holds mana within the team. Harry had an outstanding Super Rugby Pacific season and has been in the All Blacks squad this year so his leadership will be immense in attack,” said coach Clayton McMillan in a statement.
“We’ve had a short lead in to this first match, the team is a blend of experience with younger rising talent. The players are all out to showcase their skills and make the most of the opportunity to play on an international scale, representing New Zealand. It’s a proud moment for players and their whanau.”
The All Blacks XV starting front row features loosehead prop George Bower, tighthead prop George Dyer and Brodie McAlister at hooker. Bradley Slater, Xavier Numia and Marcel Renata will provide impact off the bench.
Isaia Walker-Leawere and Fabian Holland make up the locking duo, with Oliver Haig, Du’Plessis Kirifi and Devan Flanders the loose forward trio. Naitoa Ah Kuoi and Corey Kellow are named on the bench.
In the backs, the experienced Blues and All Blacks combination of Finlay Christie and Harry Plummer will take the field at halfback and first five-eighth, with recent All Black Noah Hotham on the bench. With an equally strong mid-field, Quinn Tupaea returns to international rugby in the No.12 jersey and AJ Lam starts at centre.
The back three is made up of Kini Naholo on the left wing, Chay Fihaki on the right and Shaun Stevenson at fullback. Stand out NPC player Josh Jacomb and recent All Blacks debutant Ruben Love will be injected off the bench.
All Blacks XV match-day 23:
1. George Bower* (Crusaders / Otago)
2. Brodie McAlister (Crusaders / Canterbury)
3. George Dyer (Chiefs / Waikato)
4. Isaia Walker-Leawere (Hurricanes / Hawke’s Bay)
5. Fabian Holland (Highlanders / Otago)
6. Oliver Haig (Highlanders / Otago)
7. Du’Plessis Kirifi – Captain (Hurricanes / Wellington)
8. Devan Flanders (Hurricanes / Hawke’s Bay)
9. Finlay Christie* (Blues / Tasman)
10. Harry Plummer – Vice-Captain* (Blues / Auckland)
11. Kini Naholo (Hurricanes / Taranaki)
12. Quinn Tupaea* (Chiefs / Waikato)
13. AJ Lam (Blues / Auckland)
14. Chay Fihaki (Crusaders / Canterbury)
15. Shaun Stevenson* (Chiefs / North Harbour)
16. Bradley Slater (Chiefs / Taranaki)
17. Xavier Numia (Hurricanes / Wellington)
18. Marcel Renata (Blues / Auckland)
19. Naitoa Ah Kuoi (Chiefs / Bay of Plenty)
20. Corey Kellow (Crusaders / Canterbury)
21. Noah Hotham* (Crusaders / Tasman)
22. Josh Jacomb (Chiefs / Taranaki)
23. Ruben Love* (Hurricanes / Wellington)
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